On 11 July 2025, the U.S. State Division permitted a International Army Sale of HH-60W helicopters to Norway. The deal is valued at roughly $2.6 billion, and Norway may purchase as much as 9 Sikorsky HH-60W “Jolly Inexperienced II” fight rescue helicopters and associated tools beneath the proposed settlement. The Protection Safety Cooperation Company (DSCA) notified Congress of the deal as required. This may be the primary export of the HH-60W to this point, because the HH-60W variant has to date solely served with the U.S. Air Pressure.
The HH-60W Jolly Inexperienced II is a contemporary variant of the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter constructed for fight search-and-rescue missions. It options superior avionics and defensive programs that supply enhanced survivability whereas recovering personnel in hostile or denied territory, day or night time. The Jolly Inexperienced II has roughly double the gasoline capability and far better vary in comparison with older fashions. The plane additionally contains cutting-edge datalink communications and concentrating on programs (corresponding to built-in threat-warning receivers) that give crews higher situational consciousness in advanced environments.
Norway’s request covers 22 T700-GE-401 turboshaft engines and a number of onboard programs. The package deal contains embedded GPS/INS navigation items in addition to ten AN/APR-52 radar-warning receivers and ten AN/AAR-57 missile-warning programs. The sale extends past {hardware} to incorporate complete assist for spare components, mission-planning software program, coaching aids, technical manuals, and contractor logistics assist to make sure Norway can absolutely function and preserve the helicopters.
The sale advances U.S. international coverage and safety objectives by strengthening a key NATO ally that’s “a pressure for political stability and financial progress in Europe”. It’s supposed to “enhance Norway’s airborne fight and particular operations capabilities” so the nation can higher defend itself and its NATO companions. Observers observe this improve is probably going geared toward changing Norway’s getting old Bell 412 helicopters flown by particular forces. Norway already operates Sikorsky helicopters and is buying six MH-60R Seahawks to exchange its NH90s, so the HH-60W will complement its fleet. The prime contractor for the HH-60W sale is Sikorsky Plane (Lockheed Martin) of Connecticut. DSCA additionally famous the sale would haven’t any adversarial influence on U.S. protection readiness and wouldn’t require extra American personnel in Norway. As soon as Congress completes its overview, last contract negotiations can start, and deliveries of the brand new helicopters and assist gear will proceed, modernizing Norway’s rescue and special-operations aviation forces.
